Man accused of rape, incest in Taunton and Cape Cod

A 72-year-old Middleboro man is facing charges stemming from the alleged rape and indecent assault of a young disbled female relative, authorities say.

Elizabeth Graham

A 72-year-old Middleboro man is facing charges stemming from the alleged rape and indecent assault of a young disbled female relative, authorities say.

Frank Ferdinand pleaded not guilty to six counts of rape, five counts of indecent assault and battery on a retarded person and one count of incest Wednesday in Taunton District Court following his arrest Tuesday by state police.

He is being held on $3,000 cash bail, despite prosecutors’ requests for a $5,000 bail, said Gregg Miliote, spokesman for the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.
The alleged abuse began around Christmas of last year and continued through June of this year, Miliote said.

Authorities say Ferdinand, of 7 Southwick St., raped his relative, who is under 14 years of age, in hotels in Taunton and on the Cape before the girl told family members and one of her case workers about the attacks.

If convicted, Ferdinand could face up to life in prison, Miliote said.